Some of the stakeholders at the event
A high-level regional consultation in Accra has placed women and youth political inclusion at the centre of West Africa’s democratic future, with leaders calling for concrete reforms to address what they describe as a growing democratic deficit.
President of the ECOWAS Association of Female Parliamentarians (ECOFEPA), Chantal Fanny Moussokoura, declared that democracy in the sub-region cannot succeed if women remain marginalised from political leadership.
Addressing ministers and stakeholders at the Regional Consultation on Political Participation and Leadership of Women and Youth in West Africa on February 19, 2026, she warned that excluding women and young people from governance weakens institutions and undermines sustainable development.
“No democracy can thrive when half of its citizens are excluded,” she stressed, describing the Accra meeting as a decisive moment for regional action rather than rhetoric.
The ministerial dialogue, convened under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is focused on developing strategies to advance gender parity in elected offices across Member States between 2025 and 2035.
Discussions are examining structural barriers, legal, cultural, economic and institutional that continue to limit women’s and youth participation in political decision-making. Delegates are also sharing best practices and drafting a regional roadmap aligned with ECOWAS Vision 2050, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A draft declaration on gender parity is expected to be presented to the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State for consideration.
Senator Moussokoura further advocated bold interventions, including gender quotas, affirmative action policies, and reforms to electoral systems to address historical imbalances.
She also highlighted the need for expanded civic education, mentorship programmes, and digital tools to empower emerging young leaders.
Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Damtien Tchintchibidja, used the platform to outline the ECOWAS 50th Anniversary Legacy Project, aimed at establishing sustainable mechanisms for political inclusion across Member States.
According to her, the initiative will be anchored in a Presidential Political Declaration and backed by regionally co-created guidelines to support national legal and policy reforms.
She emphasised that the framework is designed to reinforce national ownership while providing shared regional direction.
Ministers responsible for gender and social inclusion were urged to take ownership of the project as “architects” of reform, with the framework expected to strengthen national mandates, shape parliamentary debates, and influence budgetary priorities.
By encouraging peer exchange and regional solidarity, the project aims to sustain reform momentum beyond political cycles and translate commitments into measurable outcomes.
Ghana’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, described the consultation as timely and commended the ECOWAS Commission and the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre for advancing gender inclusion efforts.
She reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening women’s and youth leadership across the sub-region, noting that despite their contributions to innovation and resilience, both groups continue to face barriers in accessing political power.
Lartey added that President John Dramani Mahama remains committed to gender equality and youth empowerment in line with regional and international frameworks.
Participants were ultimately challenged to make what speakers described as a “political and generational choice” to invest in institutions and leadership structures that reflect the diversity and aspirations of West African societies.
With a draft declaration pending and a legacy project underway, the Accra consultation is being positioned as a potential turning point in the region’s pursuit of inclusive governance.
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Source:
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